Loving the BITE: Pomegranate Olive Oil Pan Sauce

When’s the last time you ate a pomegranate? I mean, really, bought the fruit, cut into it, and ate it. For most people, it’s not anytime recently, and maybe never. So much easier to buy the juice in a bottle, right? Is any fruit really worth all that mess?

Heat olive oil in a medium sized sauce pan on medium heat. Once warmed, add protein and sauté. After 3-4 minutes, depending on type and thickness of protein, turn to other side and continue to sauté until cooked thoroughly (can turn down heat and continuing cooking through if necessary). Set aside and keep warm.

Add garlic cloves to sauce pan, set at medium-high heat. Stirring continuously, sauté for ~2-3 minutes. Then, stir pomegranate juice and wine. Stir in honey. Continue to cook on medium-high, swirling around pan until reduces by ½ the volume and is a thick liquid.

Why’s a pomegranate worth the trouble? It just happens to be a Super Food with high amount of antioxidants, polyphenols, and fiber.

Hmmm. Cyclists need antioxidants, polyphenols, and fiber. In fact, pomegranates may just help you stay on your bike and off the sick-bed. Research has correlated it with potentially reducing the risk of:

Common Cold

Heart disease

Prostate cancer

Diabetes

Lymphoma

Rhinovirus infection

Oxidative Stress

Dental caries

First, your cardiovascular system. It takes free radicals to oxidize LDL cholesterol. Once oxidized, LDL cholesterol can enter the cell wall of an artery and form a dangerous plague. No oxidation, no plaque. In one study performed in 2000, daily consumption of pomegranate juice by healthy men increased antioxidant levels; decreasing their LDL cholesterol oxidation by 90%! What’s more, two weeks of pomegranate juice has also been shown to reduce systolic blood pressure.

Lastly, the intestines, colon, and for all our male cyclists, the prostate. Mice studies have shown that metabolites of pomegranate juice tannins localize specifically in the prostate gland, colon, and intestinal tissues. This has led researchers to hypothesize the benefits of pomegranate juice and begin studying its effects specifically in these organs. Remember, if your intestines aren’t healthy, your whole body isn’t healthy since they are the gateway for most all nutrients to enter the rest of the body. Antioxidants can’t fight free radicals if they can’t get in.

While it’s not hard to convince you of the health benefits, still some might find this fruit more intimidating than a 5000-foot-elevation-gain road ride! And, they are such a mess!

Problems solved.

To buy: The pomegranates skin gives a clue to a ripe fruit. It should be tough, unbroken, and have its distinctive reddish color. When tapped, one should hear a metallic sound.

To get those delicious seeds out:

Cut off the crown at the end

Lightly score the rind in several places around all the way around the fruit

Immerse it in a bowl of water for 5 minutes

Hold the fruit under the water and break it apart, separating the seeds from the membrane. The seeds will sink while the membrane floats.

Skim off and discard the membrane and rind (really, you’ll impress people with this one).

Pour the seeds into the colander, drain and pat dry. A medium pomegranate provides approximately ¾ cup of seeds.

Eat as a snack or as part of a meal. For upcoming Holiday dinners and parties, simply set a bowl of pomegranate seeds out on the table with a serving spoon.

To juice:

Roll a pomegranate on a hard surface. Press down and squeeze repeatedly until soft.

Puncture the skin and bore a hole into the fruit.

Simply cut it open or even stick a straw in it! A medium pomegranate should yield approximately ½ cup of juice.

For a limited time only! The pomegranate season lasts from September through December. Buy them now, and you can actually store them in your refrigerator for up to 6 months without shrinking or spoiling! And, you’re in luck: the fruit improves with storage.

Don’t wait. This week, we suggest you get on your bike, roll down to the market, and pick up some pomegranates while they last. Yum and yum.

15 Responses to “ Loving the BITE: Pomegranate Olive Oil Pan Sauce ”

People who own i – Pods or an i – Pad also benefit greatly as they can use it when they are on the move.
Just call up your local cable company and ask if they have an ‘on demand’ type service you can sign up for that enable you to get online movies when you want.
In 2014, there were almost 700 movies at this website.

The entire effect of these rugs to a room should
be considered when purchasing one. Reed beds present sludge dewatering by plant consumption, evapotranspiration, and drainage.
Experience the difference an experienced, reliable home theater setup
company makes.

Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just too magnificent.
I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what
you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it
enjoyable and you still care for to keep it sensible.
I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great site.

Good day I am so happy I found your blog page, I really found you by error, while I was
looking on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I am
here now and would just like to say thank you for a
incredible post and a all round exciting blog (I
also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I
will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic jo.

Hi Amanda! I’m a big fan of pan sauces, whether I’ve cooked a protein source in the pan or just begin by reducing the liquids. You could definitely add more flavors to it such as mustard (common in pan sauces), onions, etc. I think it would actually work well over a Thanksgiving Turkey, too. Let me know what you think!

My question is other than juice, can you suggest modifications in lieu of table sugar for energy and hydration.

Answer:

Both raw/organic honey or agave can work great in the homebrew (substitute in the same quantities for the sugar, or to taste), but you do have to shake well in order to make sure they don’t settle out. Have you tried either of these? Also, make sure to use at least the minimum amount of salt recommended in the homebrew as the temps rise, you need the sodium replacement if you’re sweating.